Print processing method, printing order receiving machine and print processing device

ABSTRACT

A method and a device are provided for automating receipt of orders for additional printing of a photographic print, including order information relating to desired image processing. In a print order receiving machine, when a photographic print is inserted, an image of the photographic print is read and displayed on a monitor (steps  150, 152 ). When order conditions are inputted, an image which is processed on the basis of the order conditions is displayed on the monitor (steps  154  through  158 ). Further, when input of the order conditions is completed, the order conditions and order information based on the order conditions are set. The set order information is printed onto a photographic print as an invisible two-dimensional bar code. Copying processing of the photographic print is carried out on the basis of the order information which is read from the photographic print.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

This application is a Divisional of co-pending application Ser. No.10/000,368, filed on Dec. 4, 2001, and for which priority is claimedunder 35 U.S.C. § 120; and this application claims priority ofApplication No. 2000-368374 filed in Japan on Dec. 4, 2000 under 35U.S.C. § 119; the entire contents of all are hereby incorporated byreference.

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a print processing method, a printingorder receiving machine, and a print processing device for forming animage which is formed on an image recording medium such as aphotographic printing paper or the like, on a new image recordingmedium, as is done, for example, when another photographic print isobtained from one photographic print.

2. Description of the Related Art

At DPE shops and laboratories and the like, when a photographic filmwhich has been used for photography is brought-in, processing is carriedout on the photographic film. At this time, if the preparation ofadditional prints at the time of development or index prints arerequested, photographic prints or index prints are prepared by exposingphotographic printing paper according to the images which are recordedon the photographic film. The photographic prints and the index printare returned to the customer together with the photographic film forwhich developing processing has been completed.

With the diversification of image processings in recent years, printsystems have become popular in which after various image processings arecarried out on image data (digital image data) which is prepared byreading an image recorded on a photographic film by a scanner or thelike, a photographic print is prepared by using this image data. Byusing such a photographic print system, an index print, in which imageswhich are recorded on a photographic film are disposed in a matrix-likearrangement, can also be prepared.

Further, with the popularization of digital still cameras (DSLs) or thelike, at DPE shops or the like, there are cases when DTP service, inwhich photographic prints are prepared from image data or the like ofimages which have been photographed by a digital still camera, isrequested. By using the above-described photographic print system, DTPservice is possible.

On the other hand, usually, photograph prints are arranged and stored inan album or the like, and the photographic film is stored separatelyfrom the album and the photographic prints. Further, ordering ofadditional prints is carried out by viewing the photographic printswhich are arranged in the album or the like.

Thus, at the time of ordering additional prints, there are cases inwhich the photographic prints are brought into the DPE shop or the like,rather than the photographic film or the order sheet (which is usuallyhanded over at the time of requesting additional printing withdevelopment). In such a case, photographic prints can be prepared byreading the images of the photographic prints by a scanner, preparingimage data, and exposing photographic printing paper or the like on thebasis of this image data.

In order to make the ordering of additional prints more convenient, theidea of print services has been studied in which a printing orderreceiving machine, which is exclusively used for receiving orders forprinting of additional prints or the like, is set separately from alaboratory or a DPE shop. A person who brings in photographic prints toorder additional prints inputs various types of order information byhimself or herself.

A print service such as this is possible if necessary items and orderconditions are written-in on an order sheet.

However, in a case in which the order conditions are to be recorded onthe order sheet, it is difficult to place the order such that the printwill have a desired finish by, for example, changing the tint at thetime of printing the image. Further, in cases in which staff areprovided at places at which orders for printing of additional prints arereceived, the locations and order receiving times are limited.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The present invention is developed in light of the above-describedcircumstances, and an object of the present invention is to provide aprint processing method which enables smooth ordering of a copy of animage with a desired finish by so-called self-service when the customerbrings in an image recording medium on which a visible image is recordedsuch as a photographic print. In this print processing method thereceiving of orders for additional printing is made more labor-efficientand the convenience at the time of requesting additional printing isimproved. Moreover, an object of the present invention is to provide aprint order receiving machine and a print processing device which aresuited to this print processing method.

According to a first aspect of the present invention, there is provideda print processing method for carrying out print processing in which animage which corresponds to a visible image recorded on an imagerecording medium is formed onto a new image recording medium, the methodcomprising the steps of: reading and displaying the image which isformed on the image recording medium; changing the displayed image bycarrying out image processing on the basis of processing conditionswhich are set in accordance with inputted order conditions; recordingorder information, which includes the processing conditions and theinputted order conditions onto one of the image recording medium onwhich the visible image is formed and an order information recordingmedium; and forming the image which is formed on the image recordingmedium onto the new image recording medium on the basis of the orderinformation.

According to the first aspect, the image which is read by the imagereading means is displayed on the display means. By inputting the orderconditions by the inputting means while viewing the image which isdisplayed on the display means, image processing can be carried out andthe image can be displayed on the basis of the processing conditions setin accordance with the order conditions.

By using the order conditions and the processing conditions of theimage, an image corresponding to the order conditions can be formed on anew image recording medium.

Accordingly, by inputting the order conditions while viewing the imagewhich is displayed on the display means, an image whose finish isaccording to one's liking can be formed on a new image recording medium.

Further, according to a second aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a print processing method for carrying out print processing inwhich an image which corresponds to a visible image recorded on an imagerecording medium is formed, onto a new image recording medium, themethod comprising the step of: recording inputted order conditions andprocessing conditions as order information onto the image recordingmedium on which the visible image is formed, and forming the image whichis formed on the image recording medium onto a new image recordingmedium on the basis of the order information.

According to the second aspect, when the order conditions and theprocessing conditions of the image are inputted, the order conditionsand the image processing conditions are recorded as is on the imagerecording medium as order information, and the order for additionalprinting is received. Accordingly, the person who places the order forthe additional printing, inputs the order conditions and the imageprocessing conditions. Thus, there is no need for staff to receive theorder for additional printing, and the process can be made morelabor-efficient. Further, orders for additional printing can always bemade by self-service, and the convenience of placing an order foradditional printing can be improved.

According to a third aspect of the present invention, there is provideda print order receiving machine which receives a print order to recordan image which corresponds to a visible image formed on an imagerecording medium onto a new image recording medium, said print orderreceiving machine comprising: image reading means for reading thevisible image formed on the image recording medium; display means fordisplaying an image which corresponds to image data which is read by theimage reading means; order condition inputting means for inputting orderconditions for forming an image which corresponds to the image formed onthe image recording medium onto the new image recording medium; imageprocessing means for carrying out a predetermined image processing onthe image data which is read by the image reading means on the basis ofprocessing conditions which are set in accordance with the orderconditions which are inputted by the order condition inputting means,and for changing a display image of the display means in accordance withimage data which has been subjected to image processing; and recordingmeans for recording, onto an order information recording medium, orderinformation which includes the order conditions which are inputted bythe order condition inputting means and the processing conditions whichare set by the image processing means.

According to the third aspect, the image formed on the image recordingmedium is read by the image reading means and is displayed on thedisplay means. The image processing means carries out image processingon the basis of the processing conditions which are set in accordancewith the order conditions which are inputted from the inputting means,and displays the processed image on the display means. Further, theorder information recording means records, on the order informationrecording medium and as order information, the order conditions whichare inputted from the inputting means and the processing conditionswhich are set by the image processing means.

Accordingly, the order information can be set such that the image formedon the new image recording medium has a desired finish. In a case inwhich the object is at least convenience of ordering additional printsand making order receiving more labor-efficient, the print orderreceiving machine may at least be equipped with an inputting means forinputting order information such as order conditions and processingconditions and the like, and a recording means for recording theinputted order information on the image recording medium.

On the other hand, according to a fourth aspect of the presentinvention, there is provided a print processing device which forms animage which corresponds to an image formed on an image recording mediumonto a new image recording medium, the device comprising: image readingmeans for reading, as image data, the image formed on the imagerecording medium; order information reading means for reading orderinformation which includes order conditions recorded on an orderinformation recording medium and processing conditions; and imagecopying means for image-processing the image data which is read by theimage reading means on the basis of the order information which is readby the order information reading means, and for forming an image ontothe new image recording medium.

According to the fourth aspect, the image data which is read by theimage reading means is subjected to image processing on the basis of theprocessing conditions in the order information which is read by theorder information reading means. On the basis of the order conditions,the image data which has been subjected to image processing is formed ona new image recording medium.

Accordingly, by using an image recording medium on which an image isformed and an order information recording medium on which orderinformation is recorded, the finish of the image formed on the new imagerecording medium can be made to match the tastes of the person whoplaced the order.

In the present invention, an image recording medium on which an image isformed can be used as the order information recording medium. At thistime, for example, the order information may be formed as a visibleimage on the back of the print or the like, or may be formed as aninvisible image. Further, the order information may be made into a barcode and recorded.

Accordingly, it is possible to only transfer the image recording mediumon which the image is formed from the print order receiving machine tothe print processing device, and the smoothness and reliability ofprocessing can be improved. A one-dimensional bar code may be used asthe bar code, but it is preferable to use a two-dimensional bar codewhose information density is high.

By recording the order information as an invisible image, the orderinformation can be recorded on the image surface of the image recordingmedium. Accordingly, the image reading means can also serve as the orderinformation reading means.

Further, the print processing device of the present invention mayinclude a copy information recording means for recording, on the imagerecording medium on which the new image is formed, copy information forthe time of forming the image onto the new image recording medium on thebasis of the order information.

In the same way as the order information, the copy information may berecorded as an invisible image, or may be made into a bar code andrecorded.

The copy information recording means may record the copy information ina semiconductor memory which is carried on the image recording medium onwhich the new image is formed.

The semiconductor memory may be a structure which is formed to be about0.2 mm to 0.4 mm thin, such as an IC label. By adhering such an IC labelonto the image recording medium or the like, various types ofinformation can be easily recorded onto the new information recordingmedium, without the handling ability of the new image recording mediumdeteriorating. This is preferable in making the image recording mediumbear image information including the order information.

In the present invention, a photographic photosensitive material, suchas a photographic printing paper or the like, may be used as the imagerecording medium. Image copying onto a photographic print from aphotographic print in which an image is recorded on a photographicprinting paper, and image copying from another image recording mediumonto a photographic printing paper, can be carried out easily.

On the other hand, surface types of the finish of a photographic printare, for example, glossy, raster, silk, and the like, and the surfacestate differs in accordance with the surface type. Further, the surfacetype of the photographic print is revealed in the image data at the timeof reading the image. Thus, it is preferable that the print orderreceiving machine of the present invention be equipped with adetermining means for determining the state of the surface of the imagerecording medium on which the image is formed, and for the imageprocessing and the setting of the order information to be carried out onthe basis of the results of the determination. In this case, it ispreferable that the print processing device includes a setting means forsetting the surface state of the image recording medium from the orderinformation which is recorded on the order information recording medium,and for image reading and image copying to be carried out on the basisof the setting of the setting means.

Accordingly, an image which is formed on an image recording medium canbe read appropriately, and can be formed onto a new image recordingmedium. The determining means which is provided at the print orderreceiving machine may carry out a determination based on input by, forexample, key operation of the person placing the order. Alternatively,the reading means may also be equipped with a function for detecting thesurface state.

Namely, according to a fourth aspect of the present invention, there isprovided a print order receiving machine that enables to read an imageappropriately, and may comprise at least order condition inputting meansfor inputting order conditions for forming an image which corresponds tothe visible image formed on the image recording medium onto the newimage recording medium, image reading means for reading the visibleimage formed on the image recording medium, determining means fordetermining the surface conditions of the image recording medium, imageprocessing means for reading the visible image formed on the imagerecording medium by the image reading means according to thedetermination results of the determining means, and for conducting apredetermined image processing onto the read image data, and recordingmeans for recording, onto an order information recording medium, orderinformation based on the image processing conditions at the imageprocessing by the image processing means and the order conditions inputfrom the order condition input means.

Judging means in this aspect may be one wherein the determining meansincludes a detecting means for detecting surface roughness of the imagerecording medium, and determines the surface conditions of the imagerecording medium on the basis of the detection results of the detectingmeans, and switches processing conditions for image processing by theimage processing means on the basis of the determination results of thedetermining means.

While, as detecting means to be employed in such determining means, adetector wherein a spot light of a predetermined diameter is radiatedonto an image recording medium, and reflected light of the spot light isreceived may be employed, and from the diffusion conditions of thereflected light received at this moment, it is possible easily andprecisely determine the surface conditions of image recording mediumwhere visible image is formed.

Further, it is preferable that when the image reading means reads animage by receiving reflected light of light radiated from a light sourceonto the image recording medium, the incidental angle of the light ofthe light source onto the image recording medium is switched accordingto the determination results of the determining means.

In such a print order receiving machine of the present invention, it ispreferable that the image processing that the image processing meansincludes discoloration correction, thereby it is possible to reproducethe initial image that formed visible image on the image recordingmedium onto a new image recording medium.

In a print processing device, prior to reading an image, orderinformation recorded in an order information recording medium may beread, and the surface conditions of an image recording medium may beset, and when reading an image, processing according to surfaceconditions such as a filter processing on the basis of this settingresult may be carried out.

Further, determining means arranged to a print order receiving machinemay be arranged to a print processing device, thereby it is possible toform an image according to a visible image formed on an image recordingmedium to a new image recording medium appropriately, without detectingsurface conditions of the image recording medium wherein the visibleimage is formed.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a schematic structural view of a print service system which isapplied to a first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a schematic structural view of a print order receiving machineaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a schematic view showing a conveying path of a photographicprint in the print order receiving machine according to the firstembodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4A is a schematic view of a photographic print which is received atthe print order receiving machine according to the first embodiment ofthe present invention.

FIG. 4B and FIG. 4C are respectively a schematic view showing an exampleof a two-dimensional bar code which is printed as a label onto aphotographic print.

FIG. 5 is a schematic structural view of a print processing deviceaccording to the first embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 6 is an exterior view showing an example of the print processingdevice.

FIG. 7 is a schematic structural view showing an example of a printerprocessor.

FIG. 8 is a schematic structural view of main portions showing anexample of a scanner according to the first embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 9 is a flowchart showing an overview of order receiving.

FIG. 10 is a flowchart showing an overview of print processing for anorder which is received at the print order receiving machine.

FIG. 11 is a schematic structural view showing another example of aprint order receiving machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a schematic structural view showing yet another example of aprint order receiving machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a schematic structural view showing an example of a printprocessing device for the print order receiving machine shown in FIG.12.

FIG. 14 is a schematic structural view showing another example of aprint order receiving machine according to the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a schematic structural view showing another example of aprint processing device according to the present invention.

FIG. 16 is a schematic structural view of a print order receivingmachine according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 17A is a schematic view of a photographic print which is receivedat the print order receiving machine according to the second embodimentof the present invention.

FIG. 17B is a schematic view showing an example of an IC label.

FIG. 18 is a schematic structural view of a print processing deviceaccording to the second embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 19 is a schematic structural view of a scanner according to thesecond embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 20 is a schematic structural view showing another example of aprint order receiving machine which is applied to the present invention.

FIG. 21 is a schematic structural view of a main portion of a printorder receiving machine according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 22 is a schematic structural view of a main portion of a printorder receiving machine according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 23 is a flow chart showing the outline of image reading by a printorder receiving machine according to a third embodiment of the presentinvention.

FIG. 24 is a schematic structural view of a main portion of anotherembodiment of a print order receiving machine according to the presentinvention

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present invention will be described.

First Embodiment

A schematic structure of a print service system 100 according to theembodiments of the present invention is shown in FIG. 1. The printservice system 100 is structured by a plurality of print order receivingmachines 102 and a print processing device 10.

Photographic prints 62, on which images are formed on photographicprinting papers for example, are brought to the print order receivingmachine 102 as an image recording media on which images are recorded.The print order receiving machine 102 receives copies of the imageswhich are formed on the photographic prints 62 (additional printingreceiving). At this time, at the print order receiving machine 102,various order conditions are inputted at the same time.

Further, the print processing device 10 prints images, which correspondto the images which are formed on the photographic prints 62, ontophotographic printing papers 50 (refer to FIG. 7) in accordance with theadditional printing order which is received at the print order receivingmachine 102, so as to prepare new photographic prints 62 (hereinafter,“photographic prints 62A”). At this time, print processing, which isbased on the order conditions which are inputted at the print receivingmachine 102, is carried out at the print processing device 10.

The print order receiving machine 102 which is used for such a printservice is set at a place which is different from that of the printprocessing device 10.

The schematic structure of the print order receiving machine 102 isshown in FIG. 2 and FIG. 3. As shown in FIG. 3, a scanner section 104and a printing section 106 are provided at the print order receivingmachine 102. The photographic print 62 which is to be additionallyprinted is inserted into the scanner section 104 from an unillustratedinsertion opening which is provided at the print order receiving machine102. The scanner section 104 conveys the photographic print 62 at aconstant speed by a conveying means such as a conveying belt 108 or thelike.

Light sources 110 (110R, 110G, 110B), which emit lights of therespective colors of R, G, B toward the photographic print 62 which is adocument image, and a CCD line sensor 114, which is formed by CCD arrays112R, 112G, 112B which detect the lights of the respective colors of R,G, B which are reflected at the photographic print 62, are provided atthe scanner section 104. Further, an optical system 116, which isstructured by a plurality of reflection mirrors, various types of lensesand filters, and the like, is provided at the scanner section 104. Thelight which is irradiated from the light sources 110 is reflected at thephotographic print 62 which is being conveyed at a constant speed on theconveying belt 108, and the image is focused on the CCD line sensor 114.Accordingly, the image which is formed on the photographic print 62 isread by the CCD line sensor 114.

As shown in FIG. 2, an image memory 118 is provided at the print orderreceiving machine 102. The output of the CCD line sensor 114 is A/Dconverted, and is stored as image data (digital image data) in the imagememory 118. The scanner section 104 may carry out image reading at aresolution which can be displayed on a monitor which will be describedlater.

On the other hand, an image processing section 120, a monitor 122, andan operation panel 124 are provided at the print order receiving machine102. The image which corresponds to the image data which is stored inthe image memory 118, namely, the image which is formed on thephotographic print 62, is displayed on the monitor 122.

Further, at the print order receiving machine 102, order conditions forthe additional prints of the image which is formed on the photographicprint 62 are inputted by key operation of the operation panel 124.

Examples of order conditions which are inputted are the name of theperson who ordered the additional prints, information relating to theperson who places the order such as the delivery destination (sendingdestination) of finished prints, the print size, and the number ofprints, as well as instructions for special processings for formingimages of a desired layout and image quality such as, for example, asuperimposition of a plurality of images, affine conversion parametersat the time of rotating/moving the image, parameters in the case ofconverting the tone or color of the image, whether or not a template orclip art is desired, the selection of the template or the clip art whichis used, information to be printed on the back surface of the print, andthe like.

Further, a mechanism, which displays a variety of order items on a touchpanel type monitor and by which the order conditions are selected andset from the respective items by a touch operation or the like, may beused as the operation panel 124. Alternatively, a mechanism in whichorder conditions are inputted by key operation of a keyboard or the likemay be used as the operation panel 124.

The image processing section 120 displays the image, which correspondsto the image data which is stored in the image memory 118, on themonitor 122, and sets various parameters on the basis of the orderconditions which are inputted by key operation of the operation panel124. The image processing section 120 carries out, on the basis of theset parameters, processings which are conventionally known such as, forexample, gray balance adjustment, gradation adjustment, densityadjustment, saturation adjustment, sharpness (sharpening) processing,dodging processing, electronic magnification changing processing,geometric processing, peripheral quantity of light correctingprocessing, soft focusing processing, red-eye correcting processing, andthe like.

Due to the image processings being carried out on the basis of the orderconditions, an image which corresponds to the order conditions which areinputted by key operation of the operation panel 124 is displayed on themonitor 122, and the person placing the order can confirm the ordercontents while viewing the display of the monitor 122.

The image processing section 120 sets the processing conditions for theadditional printing of the image of the photographic print 62, on thebasis of the various parameters at the time of carrying out the imageprocessings. The processing conditions which are set at the imageprocessing section 120 are, together with the order conditions which areinputted by the key operation of the operation panel 124, inputted to anorder information setting section 126. The order information for theadditional printing of the photographic print 62 is set at the orderinformation setting section 126 on the basis of the order conditions andthe processing conditions and the like.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 3, the photographic print 62 whichpassed through the scanner section 104 is sent to a printing section 106which is provided at the print order receiving machine 102. Thephotographic print 62 is conveyed by a conveying means such as aconveying belt 128 or the like at the printing section 106. A labelwriter 130 is provided at the printing section 62 so as to face theconveying path of the photographic print 62.

As shown in FIG. 2, an encoding section 132 is provided at the printorder receiving machine 102. The encoding section 132 encodes the orderinformation which is set at the order information setting section 126,and outputs the encoded order information to the label writer 130. Thelabel writer 130 prints a label 64 which shows the encoded orderinformation on the photographic print 62.

At the print service system 100 which is applied to the firstembodiment, a two-dimensional bar code is used as the label 64 which isprinted on the photographic print 62 at the print order receivingmachine 102.

Generally, a bar code expresses a variety of information by acombination of parallel white and black lines. However, a bar codeexpresses information one-dimensionally, and the information amount issmall, and the density of information is low.

In recent years, in order to express a large number of items ofinformation at a high density, various ways of making bar codestwo-dimensional (making two-dimensional bar codes) have been studied. Inthe first embodiment, a two-dimensional bar code is used as an exampleof the label 64.

Types of two-dimensional bar codes include a stacked-type symbol, inwhich one-dimensional bar codes are stacked as shown in FIG. 4B, and amatrix-type symbol in which black and white are arranged in a gridironlayout as shown in FIG. 4C. Examples of the stacked-type symbol includeCode49, Code16K, Codablock, PDF47, SuperCode, UltraCode, and the like.Examples of the matrix-type symbol include VeriCode, CPCode, DataMatrix,Code 1, MaxiCode, ArrayTag, AztecCode, DataMatrix EC200, QRCode Model 2,and the like. Any of these may be applied, or an exclusive-use symbolwhich is set separately from these symbols may be used.

These two-dimensional bar codes, and even the stacked-type symbolsCode49 and Code16K which have the smallest amount of information, candisplay 49 characters or 77 characters in English characters, which isan amount of information which is several times that of a conventionallyused one-dimensional bar code. Further, with matrix-type symbols,display of an amount of information of about 1520 English characters(1045 bytes) to 4296 characters (1847 bytes) is possible. Accordingly,binary data or characters which express various types of orderinformation can be encoded and displayed.

Further, a two-dimensional bar code can be made to also have an errorcorrecting function. Precise reading of the information can thereby bemade possible.

A conventional one-dimensional bar code can be scanned one-dimensionallyor can be read by a scanner using a CCD line sensor. In contrast, such atwo-dimensional bar code is scanned by a CCD line sensor, or the symbolis read as image data by an area CCD sensor.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 4A, at the print order receivingdevice 102, the label 64 is printed onto the image surface of thephotographic print 62 so as to be superposed on the image. At this time,the label writer 130 prints by using a ribbon or an ink which reflectsonly light of a wavelength in an invisible light region which is set inadvance, such as infrared light or the like.

When visible light is irradiated onto such an ink or ribbon, noreflection or light emission occurs. When invisible light of a specificwavelength is irradiated onto the ink or ribbon, light emission occursdue to the energy of the light of that wavelength. Namely, the label 64is a so-called stealth bar code which is printed on the photographicprint 62 as an invisible image (Hereinafter, this photographic print 62will be called “photographic print 62B”).

Accordingly, because visible light passes through as is, even if thelabel 64 is printed so as to be superposed onto the image, the imageformed on the photographic print 62 (62B) is not partially hidden or thelike and thus not damaged. Further, it is difficult to confirm with thenaked eye whether or not the label 64 is printed on the photographicprint 62B, and thus the information recorded as the label 64 is readonly when necessary.

The printed portions of the label 64 emit light as a result of invisiblelight being irradiated thereon. Thus, by irradiating light whichincludes invisible light, and by using a filter which removes thereflected light and allows the light of the light-emitted wavelength topass through, the printed portions which are the light emittingportions, i.e., the symbol of the label 64 which is the two-dimensionalbar code, can be read.

As shown in FIG. 3, a receiving box 134 is provided at the print orderreceiving machine 102. When the photographic prints 62B, on which thelabel 64 is printed, are sent out from the printing section 106, thephotographic prints 62B are collected in the receiving box 134.

Accordingly, the photographic print 62B which is received by the printorder receiving machine 102 is delivered to the print processing device10 as shown in FIG. 1.

The schematic structure of the print processing device 10 which isapplied to the first embodiment is shown in FIG. 5. As shown in FIG. 5and FIG. 6, the print processing device 10 is equipped with an imageprocessing device 12 and a printer processor 18. The printer processor18 scan-exposes the photographic printing paper 50 (refer to FIG. 7),which is a kind of photographic photosensitive material, as an imagerecording medium in accordance with the image data (digital image data)which is processed at the image processing device 12. Accordingly, thephotographic print 62, on which an image corresponding to the image datais formed, is obtained.

As shown in FIG. 5, at the print processing device 10, a generalstructure is used in which a photographic print is prepared from animage which is formed on a photographic film 20 such as a negative filmor a reversal film or the like, or from image data which is recorded onan image storage medium or the like such as a smart media 24 or thelike. At the print processing device 10, the image data whichcorresponds to the image which is recorded on the photographic film 20or the image data which is recorded on the smart media 24 is inputted tothe image processing device 12.

To this end, a film scanner 22 which reads the images which are recordedin the respective image frames of the photographic film 20, and a mediadrive 26 which reads the image data which is recorded on the smart media24, and the like are connected to the image processing device 12.

The film scanner 22 reads the images of the respective image frameswhich are recorded on the photographic film 20 such as a 135 film or anAPS film or the like, and outputs the image data. The print processingdevice 10 is equipped with an unillustrated film processor, and isprepared in advance so as to be capable of carrying out developingprocessing before the photographic film 20, on which images have beenphotographed by a camera or the like, is loaded into the film scanner22.

When the smart media 24 which is used in a digital still camera or thelike is to be applied to the media drive 26, this smart media 24 isloaded in the media drive 26. Accordingly, the image data, which hasbeen photographed by a digital still camera and stored in the smartmedia 24, is read-in by the image processing device 12. Not only thesmart media 24, but also suitably selected recording media which areconventionally known can be used, and the media drive 26 whichcorresponds to the storage media which is applied is used. Further, theimage data which is recorded on the smart media 24 is not limited toimage data of an image which is photographed by a digital still cameraor the like, and a variety of image data, such as image data obtained byediting by a personal computer of an image which has been photographedby a digital video camera or the like, can be used.

The image processing device 12 is equipped with an image memory 30. Theimage data which are inputted from the film scanner 22, the media drive26 and the like are stored in the image memory 30.

An image processing section 38, which is structured by a color gradationprocessing section 32, a hyper-tone processing section 34, ahyper-sharpness processing section 36, and the like and which carriesout various image processings, is provided at the image processingdevice 12. The image processing device 12 carries out various imageprocessings on the image data which is recorded in the image memory 30,by the color gradation processing section 32, the hyper-tone processingsection 34, the hyper-sharpness processing section 36, and the like.

Further, a pre-scanning processing section 90, a processing conditionsetting section 92, and an order information processing section 94 areprovided at the image processing device 12. Moreover, as shown in FIG.6, a keyboard 12K and a monitor 12M are provided at the image processingdevice 12.

In the image processing device 12, when image data is read by the filmscanner 22 or a scanner which will be described later or the like, forexample, after pre-scanning in which the image is read at a lowresolution is carried out, fine scanning in which the image is read at ahigh resolution is carried out. Various processing conditions are set onthe basis of the image data which is read in the pre-scanning, and imageprocessings on the image data which is read in the fine scanning arecarried out on the basis of the set processing conditions. At this time,an image which is based on the image data which is read in thepre-scanning is displayed on the monitor 12M. It is possible to set theimage processing conditions and the like and to confirm the settingswhile viewing this display image.

For example, an order information inputting machine (not shown) isconnected to the order information processing section 94. When aphotographic film 20 (undeveloped) which has been used for photography,is brought in, or when the smart media 24 on which image data is storedis brought in and the preparation of the photographic print 62 isrequested, a variety of general order information, such as informationwhich enables the person who places the order to be specified such asthe name of person who places the order or the like, the print size, thefinish such as glossy or mesh or the like, the number of prints, and thelike, are inputted.

The processing condition setting section 92 also carries out setting ofprocessing conditions of the image data which is based on the orderinformation which is inputted to the order information processingsection 94. Accordingly, the image processing section 38 carries outprocessing on the image data which is based on the order information.Further, the number of prints, the finish, the print size, and the likeare outputted as the print conditions along with the image data to theprinter processor 18.

Namely, at the pre-scanning processing section 90, in accordance withthe processing conditions which are inputted to the processing conditionsetting section 92 by key operation of the keyboard 12K or in accordancewith the processing conditions which are automatically set on the basisof image data which is set in advance or which is pre-scanned, a varietyof processings which are conventionally known, for example, gray balanceadjustment, gradation adjustment, density adjustment, saturationadjustment, sharpness (sharpening) processing, dodging processing,electronic magnification changing processing, geometrical processing,peripheral light amount correcting processing, soft focusing processing,red-eye correcting processing, and the like are carried out, and animage which corresponds to the processed image data is displayed on themonitor 12M. Further, the processing condition setting section 92controls the image processing section 38 on the basis of the processingconditions, and carries out the processing on the image data which isread by fine scanning.

As shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 6, the printer processor 18 is structured bya digital printer 42 and a paper processor (hereinafter called“processor 44”).

The image processing device 12 and the printer processor 18 areconnected by an interface, for example, an IEEE1394 standard or thelike. The image data for which processing at the image processing device12 has been completed and the order conditions are outputted to theprinter processor 18. Accordingly, the printer processor 18 can carryout print processing based on this order information, such as, forexample, selecting the photographic printing paper 50 in accordance withthe print size and the finish, and exposing the selected photographicprinting paper 50 in accordance with the image data, and the like.

As shown in FIG. 7, the digital printer 42 which is provided at theprinter processor 18 is equipped with an image memory 46 and an exposuresection 48, and once stores the image data which is inputted from theimage processing device 12 in the image memory 46 all at once.

The photographic printing paper 50, which serves as an image recordingmedium, is loaded in the exposure section 48 of the digital printer 42.When the image data is inputted, the photographic printing paper 50which is in roll-form is pulled out from the outer peripheral endthereof, and the photographic printing paper 50 is exposed in accordancewith the image data. The photographic printing paper 50, on which theimage has been exposed, is sent out to the processor 44.

For the exposure section 48, a general structure can be used which isprovided with, for example, laser light sources 52 of respective colorsof R, G, B, and a scanning optical system (not shown) which isstructured by a polygon mirror, an fθ lens, and the like. This structureexposes the photographic printing paper 50 in accordance with the imagedata due to laser light of the respective colors of R, G, B beingirradiated thereon (main-scanned) in accordance with the image data fromthe laser light sources 52 while the photographic printing paper 50 issub-scanned at a constant speed.

The processor 44 is a general structure which is equipped with aprocessing solution processing section 54, a drying section 56, and asorter section 58. The processor 44 carries out processing solutionprocessings, such as color development, bleaching fixing, washing, andthe like, on the photographic printing paper 50, and thereafter, carriesout drying processing, such that the image which is exposed on thephotographic printing paper 50 is made visible.

Further, a cutter 60 is provided at the processor 44. The photographicprinting paper 50, for which drying processing has been completed, iscut into the respective images, and is discharged to and collected inthe sorter section 58 as the photographic prints 62. Due to the imagedata for an index print, at which images of one photographic film 20 orimages (image data) of one smart media 24 are arranged in matrix-form,being inputted from the image processing device 12, the printerprocessor 18 exposes the photographic printing paper 50 in accordancewith the image data, and discharges the photographic printing paper 50to the sorter section 58 as an index print.

On the other hand, a flat-bed scanner (hereinafter, “scanner 28”) whichis a reflecting type scanner is provided as an image reading means atthe print processing device 10. In the print service system 100, thephotographic print 62B which is received by the print order receivingmachine 102 is loaded on the scanner 28.

The scanner 28 is connected to the image processing device 12. The imageprocessing device 12 can read the image data of the image which isrecorded on a reflecting document, such as the photographic print 62(62B) or the like, by using the scanner 28. When the digital printer 42of the printer processor 18 is equipped with a scanner function, thescanner of the digital printer 42 may be used as the scanner 28.

An example of the scanner 28 is shown in FIG. 8. The scanner 28 haslight sources 76 (76R, 76G and 76B) which emit lights of the respectivecolors of R, G, B toward the document image, and a CCD line sensor 80which is formed by CCD arrays 78R, 78G and 78B which detect lights ofthe respective colors of R, G, B which are reflected by the documentimage.

The photographic print 62 is placed on a platen glass 82, which is atransparent glass, in a state in which the image surface faces downward,and the photographic print 62 is covered and sandwiched between apressing cover 84 and the platen glass 82. Further, an optical system88, which is structured by a plurality of reflecting mirrors 86 andvarious lenses and filters, is provided at the scanner 28. When thelight which is irradiated from the light source 76 to the photographicprint 62 is reflected by the photographic print 62, the light is furtherreflected by the plurality of reflecting mirrors 86. Moreover, the lightis focused at the CCD line sensor 80 by being passed through the opticalsystem 88. Further, by moving (sub-scanning) the light source 76 and theplurality of reflecting mirrors 86 relatively with respect to thephotographic print 62 such that the optical path lengths of thephotographic print 62 and the CCD line sensor 80 are constant, the imagewhich is formed on the photographic print 62 is read by the CCD linesensor 80.

The scanner 28 A/D converts the image which is read by the CCD linesensor 80, and outputs the image as image data. Further, at the scanner28, after the pre-scanning in which the image is read at a lowresolution is carried out, the fine scanning in which the image is readat a high resolution is carried out. Accordingly, the image data whichis read by the pre-scanning and the image data which is read by the finescanning are inputted to the image processing device 12.

It is possible to carry out only fine scanning at the scanner 28, andfor the image data read by the fine scanning to be converted to imagedata of a low resolution at the scanner 28 or the image processingdevice 12, and to use this data as pre-scanned image data. Further, areflection-type image reading device of a general structure which readsimages recorded on a reflection original can be used as the scanner 28.In the present embodiment, detailed description thereof is omitted.

On the other hand, a light source 76IR, which emits invisible light of apredetermined wavelength which corresponds to the label 64 which isprinted on the photographic print 62B (hereinafter, “infrared light” isused as an example of such light), is provided at the scanner 28.Further, the CCD line sensor 80 is equipped with a CCD array 78IR whichsenses light (hereinafter, “infrared light” is used as an example ofsuch light) which the label 64 emits when the light is irradiated fromthe light source 76IR.

The scanner 28 reads, as image data, the symbol of the label 64 recordedon the photographic print 62B, and outputs it to the image processingdevice 12.

A decoder section 74 is provided at the image processing device 12. Theimage data of the label 64 is inputted to the decoder section 74. At thedecoder section 74, the order information, which has been made into atwo-dimensional bar code and recorded on the photographic print 62B, isre-stored on the basis of the image data of the label 64, and isoutputted to the order information processing section 94.

The order information processing section 94 outputs, to a processingcondition setting section 92, the processing conditions for processingof the image data of the photographic print 62B from the orderinformation inputted from the decoder section 74. Accordingly, at theimage processing section 38 of the image processing device 12, imageprocessing based on the order information recorded on the photographicprint 62 is carried out on the image data of the photographic print 62which is read by the scanner 28.

Further, the order information read at the order information processingsection 94 is sent to the digital printer 42 of the printer processor18. Accordingly, at the digital printer 42, image exposure based on theorder information is possible. It is possible to prepare a photographicprint 62 (hereinafter “photographic print 62A”) which, in accordancewith the order conditions inputted at the print order receiving machine102, is a copy of the image formed on the photographic print 62B (62).

On the other hand, an encoder section 72 is provided at the imageprocessing device 12. Further, as shown in FIG. 5 and FIG. 7, a labelwriter 66 is provided at the processor 44 of the printer processor 18.In the same way as the label writer 130 of the print order receivingmachine 102, the label writer 66 prints a label (hereinafter, “label68”) with an invisible image onto the image surface of the photographicprint 62.

At the time of carrying out additional print processing of the image ofthe photographic print 62B, the order information processing section 94outputs to the encoder section 72, the order information recorded on thephotographic print 62B, as well as information, which relates to theprocessing conditions at the print processing device 10 such as theexposure conditions at the time of exposing the photographic printingpaper 50 on the basis of this image data and the like, and informationshowing that the image is a copied image (hereinafter called “copyinformation”). The encoder section 72 encodes the copy information in atwo-dimensional bar code (makes the information into a two-dimensionalbar code), and outputs it to the label writer 66.

Accordingly, information, which expresses that the print is a copiedphotographic print, is recorded on the copied photographic print 62A inaddition to the order information and the processing information.

The image processing device 12 may store the image data, which is readby the film scanner 22 or the scanner 28, in a hard disk. Alternatively,the image processing device 12 may be connected to an unillustratedimage server via a network or the like, and may store the image data inthe image server.

Hereinafter, the flow of processing of a request to additionally printan image formed on the photographic print 62 by using the print orderreceiving machine 102 will be described as operation of the firstembodiment.

The flow of processing of receiving an additional printing order at theprint order receiving machine 102 which is provided at the print servicesystem 100 is shown in FIG. 9.

In this flowchart, processing starts when the photographic print 62, forwhich the person who places the order requests additional printing, isinserted into the unillustrated insertion opening. At a first step 150,while the photographic print 62 is being conveyed at a constant speed bythe conveying belt 108, the image which is formed on the photographicprint 62 is read.

Thereafter, at step 152, an image based on the read image data isdisplayed on the monitor 122. Namely, the image which is formed on thephotographic print 62 is displayed on the monitor 122. Accordingly, itis possible to input the order conditions by key operation of theoperation panel 124 while viewing the image which is displayed on themonitor 122.

At next step 154, it is confirmed whether the order conditions have beeninputted or not. If the order conditions have been inputted and thejudgement at step 154 is affirmative, the routine moves onto step 156where various parameters are set on the basis of the inputted orderconditions, and image processing is carried out. Further, at step 158,the display of the monitor 122 is changed in accordance with theimage-processed image. Namely, the image which is processed on the basisof the order conditions is displayed on the monitor 122.

Further, at step 160, it is confirmed whether a desired image isdisplayed or not on the monitor 122, namely, it is confirmed whether theorder conditions have been able to be set so as to obtain a desiredimage or not. If the determination at this step 160 is affirmative, theroutine moves onto step 162, and the order information is set on thebasis of the inputted order conditions and the processing conditions forcarrying out the image processing. When a desired image is not obtained(a negative determination at step 160), inputting of the orderconditions (changing of order conditions) is carried out.

The order information which is set in this way is converted into atwo-dimensional bar code at step 164, and is printed onto thephotographic print 62 as the label 64 which is an invisible image.Because the label 64 is printed on the photographic print 62B as aninvisible image of a two-dimensional bar code (a stealth bar code), evenif the label 64 is printed on the image surface of the photographicprint 62B, the image formed on the photographic print 62B is notdamaged.

Accordingly, the photographic print 62 is transferred to the printprocessing device 10 as the photographic print 62B on which the orderinformation is recorded.

The flow of processing on the photographic print 62B in the printprocessing device 10 is shown in FIG. 10.

In this flowchart, the photographic print 62B which is received at theprint order receiving machine 102 is loaded on the scanner 28, and whenthe start of print processing is instructed, the processing is executed.At initial step 170, the image of the photographic print 62 which isloaded on the scanner 28 is read.

Along with the image data of the respective colors of R, G, B in step170, the scanner 28 reads, as image data, the symbols on the label 64which is recorded as an invisible image (step 172). At this time,because the label 64 is recorded on the image surface of thephotographic print 62B, the label 64 can be smoothly read along with theimage which is formed on the photographic print 62B, without reloadingthe photographic print 62B.

When the image reading of the photographic print 62B is completed,first, at step 174, the symbols of the label 64 are decoded, and theorder information which is recorded on the photographic print 62B isread. At step 176, the processing conditions for carrying out the imageprocessing are set on the basis of the order information, and theexposing conditions for exposing the photographic printing paper 50 areset on the basis of the image data.

Thereafter, at step 178, on the basis of the processing conditions whichare set on the basis of the order conditions, image processing iscarried out on the image data of the image formed on the photographicprint 62B which is read by the scanner 28. Pre-scanning may be carriedout by the scanner 28, and image processing which is set in advance maybe carried out on the pre-scan image data, and the basic processingconditions may be set, and the image processing may be carried out onthe basis of the processing conditions which are based on theseprocessing conditions and the order conditions. Alternatively, the basicprocessing conditions may be set as the order information, and thepre-scanning may be omitted, and image processing may be carried out onthe image data which is obtained by the fine scanning.

If the image processing is carried out in this way, at the next step180, the image exposure onto the photographic printing paper 50 iscarried out by using the processed image data.

On the other hand, at step 182, the copy information is set on the basisof the order information which is recorded on the photographic print 62Band the image processing information and the exposure information at theprint processing device 10. At the next step 184, the copy informationis encoded into a two-dimensional bar code, and is printed onto thephotographic print 62 as an invisible image. Accordingly, a photographicprint 62A on which the copying history is recorded is obtained.

The photographic print 62A which is prepared in this way is delivered,together with the photographic print 62 (62B) which was received by theprint order receiving machine 102, to the person who, as indicated bythe order information, placed the order.

Accordingly, at the print service system 100, a person placing an ordercan place an order for additional prints while viewing the finishedimage on the print order receiving machine 102. Thus, PTP (Print toPrint) processing can be easily and reliably carried out. A photographicprint 62A, on which is formed (copied) an image corresponding to theorder request can be obtained the person who placed the order.

Further, at the print processing device 10, various types of processingconditions are set when a person orders additional printing. Thus, printprocessing can be carried out smoothly.

Moreover, because copy information is also recorded on the photographicprint 62A which is additionally printed, the order history and the factthat the print is a copied photographic print is clear from the copyinformation.

In the first embodiment, the copying history is recorded on thephotographic print 62A which is prepared in accordance with the orderrequest. However, it is possible for the copy information to only beinformation which clarifies that the photographic print 62 has beenobtained by additional printing. Alternatively, it is possible that thecopying history may not be recorded.

Further, in the first embodiment, the order information is recorded as astealth bar code on the image surface of the photographic print 62A.However, the recording of the order information is not limited to thesame. For example, the order information may be printed (on the back ofthe print) as a visible image, as a one-dimensional bar code or atwo-dimensional bar code on the reverse surface of the photographicprint 62. Alternatively, the order information may be recorded in anon-image portion such as the margin portion at the periphery of theimage or the like. Moreover, the order information is not limited to abar code, and may be printed on the basis of a code which is set inadvance. When converting the order information into a predeterminedcode, an electronic invisible ink method may be used. In this case, thevisible image which is printed on the back may be read at the scanner 28or the like of the print processing device 10.

It suffices that the print order receiving machine at least be astructure in which the person who brings in the photographic print 62 toplace the order can himself/herself carry out the order receivingprocessing. Accordingly, staff for receiving orders for additionalprinting are not needed, and order receiving processing which is morelabor-efficient is possible. Further, by making the receiving processingmore labor-efficient, an extension of the time at which orders can bereceived and an increase in the locations at which orders can berecorded is possible, and the convenience for persons placing orders canbe improved.

An example of a print order receiving machine in which at leastlabor-efficiency and an improvement in convenience for the person whoplaces the order are possible is shown in FIG. 11. In a print orderreceiving machine 102A, the scanner section 104, the image memory 118,and the image processing section 120 are omitted. In the print orderreceiving machine 102A, various items such as the order conditions andthe processing conditions for the image and the like are displayed onthe monitor 122. It is possible to input the order conditions and theprocessing conditions by key operation of the operation panel 124 whileviewing the display of the monitor 122. Further, it is possible to checkthe set order conditions and processing conditions on the display of themonitor 122.

The order information setting section 126 sets the order informationfrom the order conditions and the processing conditions which areinputted by key operation of the operation panel 124.

Further, due to the photographic print 62 being inserted from theunillustrated insertion opening of the print order receiving machine102A, the photographic print 62 is sent to the printing section 106. Atthis time, in the printing section 106, for example by the label writer130, a two-dimensional bar code based on the order information isprinted on the photographic print 62 as an invisible image, and anadditional printing order is received. Accordingly, the photographicprint 62B on which the order information is recorded is obtained.

The print order receiving machine 102A, which can receive orders withoutthe need for workers, can be set at any suitably selected place.Further, the print order receiving machine 102A, can receive orders atany time (24 hours), and thus, an improvement in convenience for aperson who places an order for additional printing is possible.

There are glossy, raster, silk, and the like types of the finishedsurface of the photographic print 62. According to the type of thefinished surface, the surface state (whether there is embossing or thelike or not, or the size or the like) differs, and the reflectivity oflight at the time of reading the image at the scanner section 104 or bythe scanner 28 slightly differs. This difference in the reflectivity oflight corresponding to the surface state affects the image data and theprocessing conditions. Thus, there are cases in which the image which isformed on the photographic print 62A varies.

By carrying out a filtering process or the like so as to correspond withthe surface state of the photographic print 62, the surface of thephotographic print 62A which has been copied is not affected by thesurface state of the photographic print 62.

Here, the schematic structures of a print order receiving machine 102Band a print processing device 10A which enable appropriate processingwhich corresponds to the state of the surface of the photographic print62 are shown in FIG. 12 and FIG. 13.

In the print order receiving machine 102B which is shown in FIG. 12, asurface type inputting section 140 and a surface type detecting section142 are provided at an operation panel 124A, and are switched byoperation of a switching switch 144. Namely, due to the surface typeinput (the surface type inputting section 140) being selected byoperation of the switching switch 144, the surface type of thephotographic print 62 (for example, glossy, raster, silk, or the like)can be manually inputted by operation of an unillustrated key of theoperation panel 124A.

Further, when surface type detection (the surface type detecting section142) is selected by the switching switch 144, at the time of reading, atthe scanner section 104, the image formed on the photographic print 62,the surface type detecting section 142 determines the type of thesurface of the photographic print 62 from the state of reflection of thelight which is irradiated on the photographic print 62.

On the other hand, at the scanner section 104, when the type of thesurface is determined by manual input or automatic detecting, at thetime of reading the image formed on the photographic print 62, afiltering processing which is set in advance in accordance with the typeof the surface is carried out. Accordingly, image data which is notaffected by the type of the surface of the photographic print 62 isstored in the image memory 118.

Further, in the order information setting section 126, the orderinformation which includes the type of the surface is set, and atwo-dimensional bar code which corresponds to the order informationwhich is set is printed onto the photographic print 62 as an invisibleimage. Namely, the order information including the surface typeinformation is recorded onto the photographic print 62B.

An example of a print processing device which carries out theprocessings of the photographic print 62B, in which the surface typeinformation is included in the order information, is shown in FIG. 13. Asurface type setting section 146 is provided at the image processingdevice 12A of the print processing device 10A. The surface typeinformation which is included in the order information is inputted tothe surface type setting section 146 by the order information being readfrom the image data of the invisible image which is read by the scanner28.

The surface type setting section 146 sets the type of the surface of thephotographic print 62B at the time the image is read by the scanner 28on the basis of the surface type information. When reading the imagewhich is recorded on the photographic print 62B, the scanner 28 carriesout filtering processings and the like which are set in advance inaccordance with the type of the surface.

Namely, in the print processing device 10A, when the photographic print62B is loaded in the scanner 28, first, the label 64 which is formed onthe photographic print 62B as an invisible image is read. Thereafter,the order information is read from the image of the label 64, andsurface type setting is carried out on the basis of the orderinformation.

Thereafter, when the image which is formed on the photographic print 62Bis read (pre-scanning and fine scanning), filtering processing which isset in accordance with the type of the surface is carried out.

Accordingly, appropriate image data which is not affected by the type ofthe surface of the photographic print 62B is stored in the image memory30, and copying processing onto the photographic printing paper 50 canbe carried out on the basis of the image data.

The print order receiving machine 102B is structured such that thesetting of the type of the surface of the photographic print 62 can beswitched from a manual setting to an automatic setting. However, thepresent invention is not limited to this structure, and the surface typesetting may be carried out by at least either one of a manual setting oran automatic setting.

Further, in the print processing device 10A, the type of the surface isset on the basis of the order information which is recorded on thephotographic print 62B. However, automatic detecting of the type of thesurface may be carried out by the scanner 28 or the image processingdevice 12A, and reading and processing of the image which is formed onthe photographic print 62B may be carried out on the basis of theresults of detection. Therefore, even when surface type information isnot included in the order information, appropriate print processing inaccordance with the type of the surface is possible.

As shown in FIG. 14, the print order receiving machine 102 may be astructure in which a switch 144A, a surface type detecting means 142A,and a surface type setting means 140A are provided at the scannersection 104. Further, as shown in FIG. 15, the print processing device10 may be a structure in which a switch 144B, a surface type settingmeans 140B and a surface type detecting means 142B are provided at thescanner 28 which is connected to the image processing device 12.

In the surface type setting means 140A and 140B the type of the surfaceof the photographic print 62 (62B) is set or selected by manualoperation. The surface type detecting means 142A and 142B detect anddetermine the type of the surface from the reflectance of light or thelike when the image of the photographic print 62 (62B) is read. Further,the scanner section 104 and the scanner 28, or the surface type settingmeans 140A, 140B and the surface type detecting means 142A, 142B may bestructured such that image correcting and the like are carried out whenthe image of the photographic print 62 (62B) is read on the basis of thetype of surface which is set at the surface type setting means 140A,140B, or the type of surface which is detected at the surface typedetecting means 142A, 142B.

Accordingly, it is possible to appropriately switch between setting thetype of the surface by manual operation or automatically detecting thetype of the surface, when the reading of image which is recorded on thephotographic print 62, 62B is carried out by the print order receivingmachine 102 and the scanner 28 of the print processing device 10.Further, a surface type information inputting function can be alsoprovided at the print order receiving machine 102 and the scanner 28later.

In the first embodiment which is described above, the order informationis printed on the photographic print 62. However, the structure by whichthe order information is borne on the photographic print is not limitedto the same.

Second Embodiment

Hereinafter, a second embodiment of the present invention will bedescribed. The basic structure of the second embodiment is the same asthat of the above-described first embodiment. Parts which are the sameas those of the first embodiment are denoted by the same referencenumerals, and description thereof is omitted.

A schematic structure of a print order receiving machine 202 which isused for a print service system 200 which is applied to the secondembodiment is shown in FIG. 16, and a schematic structure of a printprocessing device 10B which is used in the print service system 200 isshown in FIG. 18.

As shown in FIG. 16, an IC label writer 206 which writes the orderinformation on an IC label 204 is provided in the print order receivingmachine 202 which is used in the print service system 200, instead ofthe label writer 130 which prints the label 64 which is an invisibleimage. The IC label writer 206 does not contact the IC label 204, andcan record various types of information.

The label writer 206 is connected to the order information settingsection 126. Due to the input of order information which is set in theorder information setting section 126 on the basis of the orderconditions and the image processing conditions which are based on theorder conditions, the order information is recorded onto the IC label204 which is provided on each photographic print 62.

As shown in FIG. 17B, the IC label 204 of a built-in module 210, whichis formed by an IC chip and an antenna coil, is embedded in an outerpackaging material 208 such as, for example, a non-woven fabric or thelike. The thickness of the outer packaging material 208 is finished tobe at most about 0.4 mm.

At the IC label 204, data which is inputted via the antenna coil isrecorded on the IC chip. The data which is recorded in the IC chip viathe antenna coil can be outputted. Namely, at the IC label 204, it ispossible to write data onto and read data from the IC chip by anon-contact method.

In the print order receiving machine 202, when the order conditions areinputted, the order information which is set on the basis of the orderconditions is recorded onto the IC label 204, and the IC label 204together with the photographic print 62 are discharged from anunillustrated discharging opening.

The person who places the order adheres the IC label 204 to the backsurface side of the photographic print 62 which is discharged from theprint order receiving machine 202, and places the photographic print 62in a receiving box from an unillustrated receiving opening as aphotographic print 62C which bears the order information. Accordingly,the print order receiving machine 202 receives the order to additionallyprint the image which is formed on the photographic print 62.

The photographic print 62C which is received in this way is transferredto the print processing device 10B. At this time, because the thicknessof the IC label 204 is about 0.4 mm or less, the photographic print 62Ccan be generally arranged and stored by using an album or the like.Further, as shown in FIG. 17A, because the IC label 204 is adhered tothe surface of the photographic print 62 at the side opposite the imagesurface thereof, the quality of the finish does not deteriorate due tothe image which is formed on the photographic print 62 being hidden orthe like.

The second embodiment describes a case in which the person who placesthe order adheres the IC label 204 onto the photographic print 62.However, the IC label may be automatically adhered in the print orderreceiving machine 202. Alternatively, the person who places the ordermay adhere the IC label 204 before inserting the photographic print 62into the print order receiving machine 202, and the IC label writer 206may record the order information onto the IC label 204 which is adheredon the photographic print 62.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 18 and FIG. 19, a scanner 28A whichhas an IC label reader 212 may be used instead of the scanner 28 whichhas a light source 76IR and a CCD array 78IR and the like for readinginvisible images, at the print processing device 10B which is providedin the print service system 200.

As shown in FIG. 19, the IC label reader 212 is provided at, forexample, a presser cover 84 or the like, so as to oppose the IC label204, which is adhered on the reverse surface of the photographic print62C, due to the photographic print 62C being placed on a predeterminedposition on a platen glass 82. The IC label reader 212 is not limited tothis structure. The IC label reader 212 can be set at any suitablyselected position, provided that it is a position at which it ispossible for the IC label reader 212 to read the recorded data (orderinformation) from the IC label 204 of the photographic print 62C whichis placed at the scanner 28A.

The IC label reader 212 is connected to the order information processingsection 94 which is provided at the image processing device 12B.Accordingly, it is possible to read the order information from the IClabel 204 of the photographic print 62C which is loaded at the scanner28A in order to read the image. When the image of the photographic print62C is read by the scanner 28A, the IC label reader 212, at apredetermined time, reads the order information recorded on the IC label204, and outputs the order information to the order informationprocessing section 94 of the image processing device 12B.

Accordingly, at the print processing device 10B, additional printprocessing based on the order information recorded on the IC label 204of the photographic print 62C is possible. At the print processingdevice 10B, the photographic print 62 (the photographic print 62D inFIG. 18) which matches the order conditions inputted at the print orderreceiving machine 202 can be prepared. The photographic print 62D ispassed, together with the photographic print 62C, to the person whoplaced the order.

Accordingly, in the print service system 200 which is structured in thisway, a photographic print 62D, on which an image is copied in accordancewith the request (order) of the person who places the order, can beprepared.

In the second embodiment, description is given of a case in which copyinformation is not recorded on the photographic print 62D. However, anIC label writer may be provided at the print processing device 10B aswell, and an IC label which records copy information may be adhered onthe prepared photographic print 62D.

On the other hand, by using the IC label 204, the IC label 204 whichrecords the order information in a predetermined form may be preparedby, for example, a personal home computer or the like. The IC label 204may be adhered to the photographic print 62, and the photographic print62 may be transferred to the print processing device 10B.

A mass storage IC chip (for example, an LSI chip), which can record dataof from several M bytes to several tens of M bytes or the like, may beused as the IC label 204. Due to such a mass storage IC label (LSIlabel) being used, not only the order information, but also the copyhistory of use of the photographic print 62C and the like can berecorded onto the photographic print 62C.

The embodiments of the present invention which are described above arecases in which the photographic print 62 bears the order information.However, the present invention is not limited to the same. For example,the print order receiving machine 220 which is shown in FIG. 20 may beused.

The print order receiving machine 220 has a card writer 222. The cardwriter 222 records the order information onto a memory card 224 which isused as an order information recording medium. Not only an IC card or anLSI card or the like, but also a multimedia card such as a smart mediaor the like can be used as the memory card 224.

When an order request for the photographic print 62 is received at theprint order receiving machine 220, the order information is recordedonto the memory card 224. In the print order receiving machine 220, anidentification code (ID code) is given to each photographic print 62 forwhich an order is received, and the order information may be recordedonto the memory card 224 for each identification code. Accordingly, theorder information for a large number of photographic prints 62 can berecorded by using one memory card 224.

In a case in which the print order receiving machine 220 is used, a cardreader which reads the information which is recorded on the memory card224 may be provided at the print processing device. Accordingly, thepreparation of a photographic print which corresponds to the orderconditions specified by the person who places the order is possible inthe same way as when the respective photographic prints 62 bear theorder information.

Third Embodiment

In the next place, a third embodiment of the present invention isexplained in detail hereinafter. As mentioned previously, the surfacetypes of the finish of a photographic print 62 wherein an image isformed on for example a photographic paper sheet or so includes glossy,luster, silk and so forth, and surface conditions vary with types.

Herein, as for the third embodiment, one example of print orderreceiving machine that enables appropriate image copy irrespective ofsurface conditions is explained hereafter.

FIG. 21 shows a schematic structure of scanner section 232 arranged on aprint order receiving machine 230 according to the third embodiment.

At this scanner section 232, reading stage 234 is arranged, and aphotographic print 62 inserted from an insertion hole not illustratedherein is pinched by insertion roller couple 236, and placed onto thereading stage 234. At the scanner section 232, a stopper not illustratedherein is arranged at predetermined position of circumferential portionof reading stage 234 so as to go in and out, and by this stopperprotruding, the photographic print 62 to be sent in by the insertionroller couple 236 is stopped and placed onto the predetermined positionon the reading stage 234. This stopper retreats from the reading stage234 when the photographic print 62 is sent out from the reading stage234.

On this reading stage 234, an suction hole or an suction slot notillustrated herein is formed at the top surface thereof, and vacuumsource 238 is connected thereto. Thereby, the photographic print 62placed on the reading stage 234 is absorbed and held onto the readingstage 234 by negative pressure supplied from the vacuum source 238, andeven if there is warp or slackness, wrinkles or so on the photographicprint 62, the photographic print 62 is expanded evenly, and absorbed andheld onto the predetermined position on the reading stage 234.

The suction hole and suction slot may have optional shapes, as long aswhen they suck the photographic print 62, internal diameter and slotwidth do not see concave or so on surface of the photographic print 62.

At the scanner section 232, sending roller 240 is arranged at theopposite side of the insertion roller couple 236 with insertion of thereading stage 234. This sending roller 240 normally retreats from thereading stage 240 (as shown by actual line in FIG. 21), but whenprocessing to the photographic print 62 is completed in the scannersection 232, it moves onto the surface of the reading stage 234 (asshown in dot line in FIG. 21), and pinches the photographic print 62between the reading stage 234 and the sending roller 240.

In this status, suction and holding of the photographic print 62 isreleased, and the sending roller 240 is rotated, thereby, thephotographic print 62 is discharged from the reading stage 234. Thetransfer mechanism of the photographic print 62 is not limited to theabove, and any optional structure well known to those skilled in the artmay be employed.

On the other hand, at the scanner section 232 of the print orderreceiving machine 230, at the top of the reading stage 234 thereof, ascanning unit 246 including a reflection mirror 242 and a light source244, and so forth, is arranged. At the scanning unit 246, a CCD linesensor 114 is arranged.

In the scanner section 232, light including color components R, G, and Bis radiated to the photographic print 62 on the reading stage 234 fromthe light source 244. The reflection mirror 242 reflects the light tothe CCD line sensor 114 according to the image radiated from the lightsource 244 and formed on the photographic print 62. This reflected lightis formed into image on the CCD line sensor 114 via a lens and so forthnot illustrated herein, thereby, the image formed on the photographicprint 62 can be read.

This scanning unit 246 is of light source move method wherein the lightsource 244 moves to sub scanning direction, and by scanning move of thisscanning unit 246, the image formed on the photographic print 62 held bythe reading stage 234 is read, and image data is output.

The print order receiving machine 230 may have a monitor 122, anoperation panel 124 and so forth, and a printing section 106 (Refer toFIG. 3) mentioned above at the rear of the scanner section 232, and inthe place of the printing section 106, an IC label writer 206, a cardwriter 222 and so forth may be arranged for input and output of orderinformation. The structure is not limited to the above, but any optionalstructure that enables input of order conditions and output of orderinformation may be employed.

While, at the scanner section 232 of this print order receiving machine230, a gloss detecting sensor 250 is arranged. This gloss detectingsensor 250 is arranged so as to face the predetermined position of thephotographic print 62 sucked and held onto the reading stage 234, andradiates light beam of spot shape to the surface of this photographicprint 62, and receives this reflected light. The gloss detecting sensor250 may be optionally arranged so that it should not interfere with thescanning unit 246 and so forth, by for example retreating the scanningunit 246 at image reading, moving it so as to face the predeterminedposition of the photographic print 62 at luster measurement, and soforth.

On the other hand, as shown in FIG. 22, in the print order receivingmachine 230, at image processing section 120A, a preprocessing filter252, a reduction and expansion section 254 and a sharpness processingsection 256 are formed, and when the image data read by the CCD linesensor 114 is stored into the image memory 118, a predetermined imageprocessing is carried out from this image memory 118 at thepreprocessing filter 252, the reduction and the expansion section 254and the sharpness processing section 256, respectively. The image dataprocessed at this image processing section 120A is displayed on amonitor not illustrated herein, or output to the order informationsetting section 126 (Refer to FIG. 2) and so forth.

At the print order receiving machine 230, a determining section 258 fordetermining the surface conditions (a state of the surface) of thephotographic print 62 on the basis of the measurement results of thegloss detecting sensor 250 is arranged.

The photographic print 62, generally of glossy finish, is characterizedby sharp finish, while it is subject to influences of light reflectionon luster surface and so forth. The photographic print of silk finishattains a special round rendition feeling, but concaves and convexes of1 to 100 μm are formed on its emulsion surface.

Further, the photographic print 62 of mat finish is characterized bymodest atmosphere and depth and solid rendition (image formation), andis also referred to as semi gloss finish, wherein finish luster iscontrolled.

On the other hand, when light beam of spot shape is radiated onto thesurface of the photographic print 62, reflected light becomes of spotshape on luster surface, while, reflected light is diffused on convexesand concaves and mat surface conditions.

Namely, if reflected light is near spot diameter, the surface is smoothluster surface, while rougher the surface (bigger the convex andconcave), the wider the reflected light becomes, and finally is diffusedand spot disappears.

From this point, in the determining section 258, the gloss detectingsensor 250 receives the reflected light of light beam of spot shaperadiated on the photographic print 62, and can determine the surfaceconditions of the photographic print 62 on the basis of light receivingresults.

As such a gloss detecting sensor 250, for example, the glossinessdetermination sensor PI-G (product name) manufactured by KeyenceCorporation and so forth may be employed.

At the image processing section 120A, a parameter switching section 260is arranged. In this parameter switching section 260, parameter forprocessing to image data at the preprocessing filter 252 and thesharpness processing section 256 is switched according to thedetermination results of the determining section 258.

Thereby, the image processing section 120A arranged at the print orderreceiving machine 230 automatically detects the surface conditions ofthe photographic print 62, and appropriate image processing is enabledaccording to the surface conditions. In the print order receivingmachine 230, the processing conditions at this moment is held by thephotographic print 62 as order information.

In the image processing section 120A, a setup section 262 and a colorreproduction 3D-LUT 264 are arranged. In this setup section 262, it isdetermined whether the image formed on the photographic print 62 hasdiscoloration or not under influences of ultraviolet ray and so forth.In the color reproduction 3D-LUT 264, on the basis of this determinationresults, image processing is made so as to reproduce the color beforediscoloration.

With respect to such an image processing, for example, colordecomposition is carried out according to image data, and determinationis made from balance, hue and so forth of respective colors, and reversecorrection is carried out on the basis of determination results, therebycolors are reproduced.

Namely, when it is determined from color balance and hue that the imageformed on the photographic print 62 is sepia or its hue is sepia,parameters are set so as to get the color balance or hue back, andreverse correction is made, thereby the original color at the imageformation (print original) is reproduced. In the case where a white edgeis arranged at the circumferential portion of the photographic print 62,the color of this white edge may be read, and it may be determinedwhether discoloration occurs or not therein, and thereby parameters fordiscoloration correction may be set.

Herein, as the actions of the third embodiment, in reference to FIG. 23,the outline of the processing based on the determination on surfaceconditions of the photographic print 62 by the print order receivingmachine 230 and the determination results is explained hereafter.

In the print order receiving machine 230, when the photographic print 62is inserted from the insertion hole, this photographic print 62 ispinched and pulled in by the insertion roller couple 236, and then sentin to the reading stage 234 of the scanner section 232. Thereafter, thephotographic print 62 sent in to the scanner section 232 is loaded ontothe predetermined position of the reading stage 234, then the vacuumsource 238 is activated, and the photographic print 62 is absorbed andheld on the reading stage 234.

The photographic print 62 wherein an image is formed on photographicpaper of roll shape in general sometimes has curl or so, and may havecurl or warp accordingly. Such photographic print 62 is absorbed andheld on the reading stage 234, thereby its plane property is kept,therefore, it is possible to prevent mistake in determining surfaceconditions or deformation in the image of read image data reliably.

The structure for keeping the photographic print 62 plane is not limitedto the above, but any optional structure well known such as using a maskor a press plate such as transparent glass plate and so forth may beemployed.

In the print order receiving machine 230, when the photographic print 62is set onto the scanner section 232, and instructions to read image isinput or order conditions are input, and reading the image formed on thephotographic print 62 starts, the procedures in the flow chart shown inFIG. 23 are carried out.

In this flow chart, in its first step 280, luster of the surface of thephotographic print 62 is measured by use of the gloss detecting sensor250, and this measurement result is read into the determining section258 (step 282).

In the scanner section 232, it is arrange so that the gloss detectingsensor 250 carries out the luster measurement at the predeterminedposition of the photographic print 62 on the reading stage 234, however,by carrying out the luster measurement by moving the gloss detectingsensor 250, or by carrying out the luster measurement by arrangingplural gloss detecting sensors 250, the luster at plural positions ofthe surface of the photographic print 62 may be measured. Thereby, it ispossible to prevent mistake in determination owing to dust or dirt onthe surface of the photographic print 62, which is preferable.

In the next step 284, the luster determination as the determination ofthe surface conditions of the photographic print 62 is carried out fromthe read measurement results. In this luster determination, light beamof spot shape is radiated to the photographic print 62, and thisreflected light is received, and luster is determined by whether thereceived light is of spot shape or diffused.

For example, the concave and convex on the surface of the photographicprint 62 are 10 μm or more, and it is determined that the surface of thephotographic print 62 is rough, it is determined whether a lustersurface or not on the basis of the focusing conditions (spot diameter,light amount, light amount distribution, and so forth) of the reflectedlight at this roughness.

Herein, if it is determined the reflected light is of spot shape and itis a luster surface, positive determination is made in the step 284, andthe process goes on to the step 286. In the step 286, the parameter forprocessing of image data at the preprocessing filter 252 and thesharpness processing section 256 is switched into the parameter setaccording to the luster surface.

For instance, the parameter concerning the preprocessing filter 252 isswitched into the parameter set so as to remove the high frequencycomponents included in image data. For example, in the photographicprint 62 of silk finish or so, fingerprints are hardly attached to thesurface, while on luster surface of glossy finish or so, fingerprintsare apt to be attached thereon, so the parameter is switched into theparameter set so as to carry out fingerprint removal processing.

With respect to the sharpness processing section 256, the parameter isswitched into the parameter set so as to carry out the optimizedsharpness processing to the image data read from luster surface.

On the other hand, when it is determined as a non luster surface,negative determination is made in the step 284, and the process goes onto the step 288. In the step 288, the parameter is switched into theparameter set according to non luster surface. Namely, the parameter isswitched into the parameter set so as to control the removal of highfrequency components, or the parameter set so as to control fingerprintremoval processing, and further the parameter is switched into theparameter set so as to carry out the optimized sharpness processing tothe image data read from non luster surface.

In these manners, parameter switching is carried out on the basis of thesurface type determination of the photographic print 62 anddetermination results, then the process shifts to the step 290, whereinimage is read by use of the CCD line sensor 114, and the read image datais stored into the image memory 118. Further, in the step 292, imageprocessing is carried out on the basis of parameters switched accordingto surface types, at the preprocessing filter 252, the reduction andexpansion section 254 and the sharpness processing section 256respectively.

Accordingly, in the print order receiving machine 230, surface types ofthe photographic print 62 are determined, and parameters are switchedaccording to the determination results thereof. At this moment, byswitching the parameter into the parameter set so that the optimizedimage processing is available according to the size of concave andconvex on surface of the photographic print 62 (surface roughness), itis possible to generate an appropriate image data irrespective of thesurface conditions of the photographic print 62.

In the present embodiment, as an example, the surface of thephotographic print 62 is determined in two steps, i.e., whether lustersurface or non luster surface, however, the determination is not limitedto this, and determination may be made in several steps, i.e., whetherthe photographic print 62 is luster surface of glossy finish or so, orsemi luster surface of mat finish or non luster surface of silk finishor so, and parameters may be switched into parameters set for processingof appropriate image reading and image data according to respectivefinish types.

On the other hand, in the print order receiving machine 230, when imageprocessing in the preprocessing filter 252 and the sharpness processingsection 256 and so forth according to the surface types of thephotographic print 62 is completed, the setup section 262 determineswhether there is discoloration or the similar or not, and by the colorreproduction 3D-LUT 264, if there is discoloration or the similar,reverse correction is carried out according to the discolorationconditions, and thereby image data that can reproduce the image of theoriginal photographic print 62 is generated.

Thereby, even if there is any image change such as discoloration or soin the photographic print 62 that an orderer has brought about, it ispossible to create the photographic print 62 wherein the original imageis formed.

In the third embodiment, parameters for image processing are switchedaccording to the surface types (surface conditions) of the photographicprint 62, however, when reading an image formed on the photographicprint 62, the radiation angle of the light to be radiated from the lightsource 244 to the photographic print 62 may be switched.

Namely, in the scanner section 232A shown in FIG. 24, the position ofthe light source 244A arranged on the scanning unit 246A is switched onthe basis of the determination results of the determining section 258(not illustrated in FIG. 24).

In a status wherein there are concaves and convexes on the surface ofthe photographic print 62, when the radiation angle α of the light fromthe light source 244A to the surface of the photographic print 62 ismade small (α=α₁) as shown by dot line in FIG. 24, shadows by convexesand concaves of the surface of the photographic print 62 may occur.

In a luster surface with extremely small convexes and concaves on thesurface, when the radiation angle α of the light from the light source244A to the surface of the photographic print 62 is made large (α=α₂,α₂>α₁), the light receiving amount by the CCD line sensor 114 increaseseven with an identical image, and in some case, the CCD array may besaturated.

From this point, in the scanner section 232A, when the photographicprint 62 is determined as a luster surface, the light source 244A ismoved to the position shown by dot line in FIG. 24 so that theincidental angle α should be the incidental angle α₁, while, when thesurface of the photographic print 62 is determined as a non lustersurface, the light source 244A is moved to the position shown by actualline in FIG. 24 so that the incidental angle α should be the incidentalangle α₂.

In this manner, namely, by switching the position of the light source244A at the moment of reading image according to the surface types(surface conditions) of the photographic print 62, it is possible toread an image formed on the photographic print 62 in appropriate mannersirrespective of the surface conditions of the photographic print 62.Further, by carrying out image processing of read image data on thebasis of the parameters switched according to the surface conditions ofthe photographic print 62, it is possible to obtain a far moreappropriate image data.

In the scanner section 232A, the light source 244A is set to moveaccording to the surface conditions of the photographic print 62,however, the present invention is not limited to this, but plural lightsources with different incidental angles may be arranged, and a lightsource may be selected according to the surface conditions of thephotographic print 62 and an image may be read thereby.

On the other hand, in the third embodiment, explanations heretofore havebeen made with the scanner section 232 of a light source move methodwherein the light source 244 as image reading means moves to the subscanning direction, while, a light source may be fixed, and imagereading means of light source fixed method wherein the photographicprint 62 is moved with respect to the light source may be arrangedtogether or separately, and the image reading means of light source movemethod and the image reading means of light source fixed method may beswitched according to the surface conditions of the photographic print62.

Namely, if there are concaves and convexes on the surface of thephotographic print 62, and image reading means of light source movemethod is employed, there is a fear that concaves and convexes on thesurface of the photographic print 62 may appear as shadows on imagedata, therefore, image reading means of light source fixed method may beused for non luster surface, and image reading means of light sourcefixed method or light source move method may be used for luster surface.

In the third embodiment, surface type determining means and parameterswitching means based on determination result are arranged to a printorder receiving machine, however, a similar structure may be arranged toa print processing device, thereby, it is possible to generateappropriate image data from the photographic print 62 ordered forcopies, irrespective of surface types of the photographic print 62, andto form a new photographic print 62.

In the embodiments of the present invention which are described above,the photographic print 62, in which the image is formed on photographicprinting paper, is used as the image recording medium on which the imageis formed. However, the present invention is not limited to thephotographic print 62. By using a variety of image recording media suchas paper or the like, the present invention can be applied to thecopying of images which are formed on such image recording media.

As described above, in accordance with the present invention, orders foradditional printing and the like are received by displaying an imagewhich corresponds to the order conditions. The image, which is formed onthe image recording medium, is formed onto the new image recordingmedium on the basis of the order conditions. Thus, an excellent effectis achieved in that it is possible to copy an image in accordance withthe order of a person who places an order.

1. An image input apparatus for inputting an image in order to record animage which corresponds to a visible image formed on an image recordingmedium onto a new image recording medium, the image input apparatuscomprising: image reading means for reading the visible image formed onthe image recording medium; display means for displaying an image whichcorresponds to image data which is read by the image reading means;order condition inputting means for inputting order conditions forforming an image which corresponds to the image formed on the imagerecording medium onto the new image recording medium; image processingmeans for carrying out predetermined image processing on the image datawhich is read by the image reading means on the basis of processingconditions which are set in accordance with the order conditions whichare inputted by the order condition inputting means, and for changing adisplay image of the display means in accordance with image data whichhas been subjected to image processing; and recording means forrecording, onto an order information recording medium, order informationwhich includes the order conditions which are inputted by the ordercondition inputting means and the processing conditions which are set bythe image processing means.
 2. An image input apparatus according toclaim 1, wherein the recording means records the order information ontothe image recording medium.
 3. An image input apparatus according toclaim 2, wherein the recording means records the order information as aninvisible image onto the image recording medium.
 4. An image inputapparatus according to claim 2, wherein the recording means converts theorder information into a bar code, and records the bar code.
 5. An imageinput apparatus according to claim 1, further comprising determiningmeans for determining a state of a surface of the image recording mediumon which the image is formed, wherein the image processing and settingof the order information are carried out on the basis of results of thedetermination.
 6. An image input apparatus for inputting an image inorder to record an image which corresponds to a visible image formed onan image recording medium onto a new image recording medium, the imageinput apparatus comprising: order condition inputting means forinputting order conditions for forming an image which corresponds to thevisible image formed on the image recording medium onto the new imagerecording medium; image reading means for reading the visible imageformed on the image recording medium; determining means for determiningthe surface conditions of the image recording medium; image processingmeans for reading the visible image formed on the image recording mediumby the image reading means according to the determination results of thedetermining means, and for conducting predetermined image processing onthe read image data; and recording means for recording, onto an orderinformation recording medium, order information based on the imageprocessing conditions at the image processing by the image processingmeans and the order conditions input from the order condition inputmeans.
 7. An image input apparatus according to claim 6, wherein thedetermining means further comprises detecting means for detecting thesurface roughness of the image recording medium, and determines thesurface conditions of the image recording medium on the basis of thedetection results of the detecting means.
 8. An image input apparatusaccording to claim 6, wherein processing conditions for image processingby the image processing means are switched according to thedetermination results of the determining means.
 9. An image inputapparatus according to claim 6, wherein when the image reading meansreads an image by receiving reflected light of light radiated from alight source onto the image recording medium, the incidence angle of thelight from the light source onto the image recording medium is switchedaccording to the determination results of the determining means.
 10. Animage input apparatus according to claim 1, wherein the image processingconducted by the image processing means includes discolorationcorrection.
 11. An image input apparatus according to claim 6, whereinthe image processing conducted by the image processing means includesdiscoloration correction.
 12. An image input apparatus for inputting animage in order to record an image which corresponds to a visible imageformed on an image recording medium onto a new image recording medium,the image input apparatus comprising: order condition inputting meansfor inputting order conditions for forming an image which corresponds tothe visible image formed on the image recording medium onto the newimage recording medium; image reading means for reading the visibleimage formed on the image recording medium; surface condition inputtingmeans for inputting information based on a surface condition of theimage recording medium; image processing means for conductingpredetermined image processing on the image data read by the imagereading means; and recording means for recording, onto an orderinformation recording medium, order information based on imageprocessing conditions at the time of the image processing by the imageprocessing means and the order conditions input from the order conditioninput means, wherein at least one of image reading conditions underwhich the image reading means reads the visible image formed on theimage recording medium and the image processing conditions under whichthe image processing means processes the image data is switched based onthe surface condition information input by the surface condition inputmeans.
 13. An image input apparatus according to claim 12, wherein whenthe image reading means reads an image by receiving reflected light oflight radiated from a light source onto the image recording medium, theimage reading condition to be switched is an incidence angle of thelight from the light source onto the image recording medium.
 14. Animage input apparatus according to claim 12, wherein the imageprocessing conducted by the image processing means includesdiscoloration correction.